Increase Your Odds of Conception
We will cover the best tips to increase your odds of conception in this blog. In my last blog about fertility, I talked about the basics in creating another life by following a love story of a maiden (egg) and her knight (sperm). What is seemingly a simple story that should have a happy ending, has proved to be a more complex task to achieve. At some point in puberty, we find out about the Birds and the Bees through family, friends, health class, reading, pictures, and exploration of our sexuality. Only to realize later in life that what we once believed right about sex and baby-making may have been a rumor or misconstrued by our undeveloped brain. Consequently, we will focus on relearning (and exploring) the birds and the bees once more (with our adult brain) to create the optimal chances of conception. Now that we understand the HOW, let’s explore the ways to increase your odds of a successful, healthy conception Humor me and increase your odds of conception Pretend you are about to grow your food in your yard by your own hands. Let’s consider the necessary steps needed before starting this project: Decide on the types of crops that will grow in your area Understand how a growing season plays out Become familiar with different kinds of food crops Develop a farm plan on the land you intend to use Plan your storage method Determine benefits vs. cost Begin the project in stages Break ground FERTILIZE soil, lay off rows Place seeds in the furrow at the precise depth Cultivate crops when needed Watch for insects & animals that may damage plants Harvest and preserve If you’ve ever actually tended your garden, you are well-aware of the time, effort, money, blood, sweat, and tears associated. The steps I’ve listed were fundamental. Nonetheless, a lot of thought and time goes into this process. If we don’t take these steps seriously, one by one, we may not get the best outcome. Maybe only half the crops thrive, or perhaps nothing will grow at all. If this were another time, we could starve. Let’s put that into perspective when pondering “growing a human.” If possible, consider a version of the steps above before “planting the human seed.” Starting with a healthy egg and sperm. Therefore, we need healthy parents-to-be. Incidentally, it’s never too late to boost the health of the embryo-fetus-baby, so don’t slack off after pregnancy is achieved. Both Partners can help increase your odds of conception I know it is difficult to make changes to your lifestyle, but this is where you want to invest in your future mini-me. By creating the healthiest versions of yourselves, you’ll ensure the best possible outcome and create a baby ready to fight off germs. Spend some time doing inventory on your eating habits, exercise, vitamins, mental health, relationship health, finances, and work-life balance for a few weeks before any radical changes. Once you can pinpoint areas that need adjusting, start slow. Too much at once can make you throw in the towel before giving it an honest attempt. Remember, it takes four months to cycle a new healthier egg and sperm. Start with these tips: Get a check-up with your regular doctor and obstetrician-gynecologist and talk about your desire to get pregnant. Ask for STD (sexually transmitted disease) testing, even if you think you’re safe. Consider a detox Aim for the fertility diet: Avoid soy, eat organic when possible, eat foods in their most natural state, decrease meat consumption, favor veggie sources of protein, eat good fats (olive, flax, nut, fish & coconut oil) avoid dangerous fats (hydrogenated, vegetable fat, hardened vegetable fat, trans fat), use clarified butter/ghee or coconut oil when cooking and filtered water. Foods to improve sperm; banana, tomato, garlic, apples, cashew nuts, pomegranates, avocados, asparagus, pumpkin seeds, and oysters. Start taking quality vitamins that include; zinc, selenium, magnesium, calcium, b6, b12, folic acid, vitamin c, omega three fats, vitamin d3 Exercise Reduce risk factors; smoking, drinking, street drugs, medications, caffeine, environmental hazards, stress, dangerous behaviors, etc. Did you know? Sperm disorders contribute to 40% of infertility. One cup of coffee per day decreases the chance of fertility by 55%. Women who drank coffee before and during pregnancy had 2x the miscarriage rate. One glass of alcohol can reduce fertility by 50%. Light smoking in men can reduce sperm quality and motility. Heavy smoking in men can change the shape of sperm (which makes sperm swim incorrectly- missing their mark). Men who quit smoking for 5+ months before conceiving can increase sperm count by 800%. 60% of infertility could be corrected with STD medication. If only one partner is treated for an STD, he or she will reinfect the other. Yeast is an STD. Trans fats can increase infertility by 70%. Trans fats are used to extend shelf life, eat fresh. Animal-derived estrogens can decrease fertility. Dairy accounts for 60-70% of estrogens consumed. By devoting time and effort into designing your best selves, you’ll be able to increase the odds of conception, the vitality of a pregnancy, the immune system of your baby, and as parents you’ll be in a better position to fight germs and keep up with the little one. Win-win!! Read the next fertility blog to dive deeper into causes and overcoming infertility. Happy Parenting-to-be!
When You Need More Fertility Help
When you need more fertility help it can be confusing. The medical jargon and technical terms are beyond the layperson’s understanding. Infertility is already stressful so let’s unveil the puzzle in simpler terms. We’ve covered a lot of ground on a subject that should not be this burdensome. As I mentioned in the beginning, humans grow up believing that it is a right of passage to produce offspring, not a difficult feat with blood, sweat, and tears. If you’re reading this and have seen your tale told here, I’m sending you a hug and positive energy. While that may not be enough, getting the people you associate with on board with your dilemma could change your passageway. Surround yourself with a supportive, loving, and understanding community while you navigate this very personal journey. Talk to those closest to you and share your deepest feelings. Sometimes what’s holding up a viable pregnancy comes from the heart. Treatments to facilitate conception when you need more fertility help Medication– keep in mind that fertility medications can increase the chances of multiple pregnancies, and you may have a high-risk pregnancy as well as a premature delivery. Most commonly used: Clomid or Femara (an alternate to Clomid)- both suitable for treating ovulatory dysfunction, unexplained infertility and may be used in men. This oral tablet is used alongside other medications/treatments or alone. Side effects and risks are mild compared to injectable fertility drugs. Gonadotropins-These are the most potent ovulation stimulating drugs. Taken by injection and can be used alongside other medications or during IUI or IVF treatment. Men can also use this medication for the improvement of testosterone levels and semen health. Side effects are more extreme, and the chances of having multiples are significantly higher. Ovulation Suppression Medications- help, especially during IVF treatment or to coordinate cycles with a potential egg donor or surrogate. These medications can help doctors manage the release of the egg making retrieval more successful. Birth control pills & GnRH antagonists (they work against the LH & FSH) are most popular. They can be pills, injections, nasal sprays, or implants. As with other fertility meds, there are risks and side effects. Aspirin or heparin- used to treat women with recurrent miscarriages or bleeding disorders. Progesterone- The most frequently used medication during IVF, luteal phase defect, or recurrent miscarriages and placed as a vaginal suppository or injection. Estrogen-used to improve cervical mucus, thicken the endometrial lining, or if there is pain during intercourse due to vaginal dryness, which can all be a side effect of Clomid as well. Most commonly used as a vaginal suppository or patch. Glucophage or Metformin- used to treat insulin resistance but can also restart or regulate ovulation in women with PCOS. Antibiotics- if there is an infection in the reproductive tract. When left untreated, scarring can form and block the passageway for egg and sperm to meet. Parlodel or Dostinex are sometimes used to lower high prolactin levels. Prolactin is the hormone responsible for breast development and lactation. This malfunction can cause ovulation problems in women and low sperm count in men. Thyroid regulating medications are for an under or overacting thyroid. A misfiring control center (your thyroid) can create fertility problems in men and women. Surgical– clear any blockages in the reproductive organs of male or female. Types of surgeries; Hysteroscopy- a doctor will use a hysteroscope to look at the lining of the uterus, check shape and size and check for blockages. Laparoscopy- this tool is minimally invasive, uses a telescopic camera system, and can help medical professionals get a clear picture inside the abdominal cavity and reproductive organs. Most suspicious abnormalities can be taken care of during the procedure. Tubal ligation reversal- this can help reopen the Fallopian tubes to help restore a woman’s fertility. DaVinci robotic surgery is a great tool to use if you have an appropriately trained physician. It is for exploratory, reversal, or restoration of the reproductive system. Artificial treatments Artificial insemination- the medical procedure of injecting semen into the vagina or uterus to achieve pregnancy without sexual intercourse. Helping couples deal with: Male factor infertility Unexplained infertility Single and needing donor sperm The two types of artificial insemination; IUI- intrauterine insemination-is the most common insemination procedure used today. The sperm go through a process of “washing” to increase the concentration and decrease chances of an allergic reaction and or toxic chemicals. ICI- intracervical insemination- sperm is placed into the vagina and deposited into the cervix with a soft catheter. Less effective. If donor sperm is used, it will then be analyzed for a variety of health conditions and viruses, including HIV and other infections. Current guidelines recommend donor sperm be quarantined for at least six months to ensure its safety. Assisted reproductive technology “ART”- this includes all fertility treatments in which both eggs and embryos are handled. ART involves surgically removing eggs from the ovaries, combining them with sperm in the lab, and returning them to the woman’s body or donating to another woman. Learn more about ART below: IVF-In Vitro fertilization-involves the joining of egg and sperm in a dish and transferring the resulting embryos into the womb. Most commonly used ICSI- intracytoplasmic sperm injection- is a variant in IVF in which a single sperm is injected into each egg. Used when there are semen abnormalities or for couples who’ve failed fertilization. Donor egg IVF- used when the female partner has poor quality eggs and requires healthier, younger eggs from a donor. Gestational carrier IVF-the procedure is the same, except the resulting embryos, are transferred into a gestational carrier. This woman will grow the child, give birth, and hand baby over to the couple whose embryo was implanted. GIFT- Gamete intrafallopian Transfer- the eggs are harvested just like IVF. Still, the eggs & sperm are put into the Fallopian tube where fertilization happens, instead of fertilizing in the lab. ZIFT- Zygote Intrafallopian Transfer- similar to IVF but involves transfer of the fertilized egg (the zygote) into the Fallopian tube at the time of laparoscopy. TET- Tubal embryo transfer-same as
Reasons You’re Not Getting Pregnant
There may be many reasons you’re not getting pregnant that you haven’t explored yet. Aside from the low odds of sperm and egg meeting due to lifestyle factors, let’s take a more in-depth look at other arguments, often overlooked, that couples struggle with when trying to conceive. Men and Reasons they’re not Getting you Pregnant Healthy sperm are made and transported effectively to meet the egg for successful conception. Some of the below conditions are irreversible, but almost all have alternative ways to achieve their goals. Lifestyle changes can help with other sperm conditions. Read everything to give yourself the best odds for success. The most common cause of infertility in men is varicocele (overheating). When the veins in the testicles are too large, similar to varicose veins in your legs, this, in turn, can cause heat to build up in the scrotum and reduce sperm count and viability. Approximately 10-15 of every 100 men have this problem. The cause is not clear but starts in puberty. He probably doesn’t even know he has this condition, or he may have felt some discomfort but didn’t understand why. It usually shows up above one of the testicles (left side is more common). A doctor may find the mass quickly or send him for an ultrasound. There are no medications to help with this condition. To help with fertility, he can have a procedure done to tie off blood supply to the spermatic cord. New sperm will grow in 3-4 months, and the doctor will check the sperm count. For some men, it can take a few cycles of new swimmers before conception is achieved. Low sperm count or oligospermia means that the semen he ejaculates during an orgasm contains fewer than 15 million sperm per milliliter. The complete absence of sperm is called azoospermia. Some signs of a low or no sperm count are; problems with sexual dysfunction (low sex drive, erectile dysfunction, etc.), pain-swelling or lump in testicle area, and decreased facial or body hair. Celiac disease is a digestive disorder caused by a sensitivity to gluten — chances of fertility increase after adopting a gluten-free diet. Certain medications: testosterone replacement therapy, long term anabolic steroid use, cancer medications (chemotherapy), certain antifungal medications, some ulcer drugs, and other treatments can cause sperm problems. Talk to your doctor about fertility and these medications. Prior surgeries; vasectomy, inguinal hernia repairs, scrotal or testicular surgeries, prostate surgeries, and extensive abdominal surgeries performed for testicular and rectal cancer. Most of these can be reversed, or sperm can be retrieved directly from epididymis and testicles. Tumors, cancers, and nonmalignant tumors can affect the male reproductive organs directly through the glands that release hormones related to reproduction, such as the pituitary gland or through unknown causes. Depending on where the tumor is, retrieval of healthy sperm may be Possible. Industrial chemicals- extended exposure to benzenes, toluene, xylene, pesticides, herbicides, organic solvents, painting materials, and lead will cause sperm disorders. Change in the environment can reverse most fertility issues related to toxins. Radiation or X-Rays-low doses shouldn’t pose a fertility problem once eliminated from the body. High doses of radiation can permanently reduce sperm count. Talk to your doctor about alternatives. Hormone disorders- hypothalamus, pituitary, thyroid, adrenal glands, diseases of testicles, low testosterone, gynecomastia (abnormal breast growth), and other hormonal problems have several possible underlying causes related to infertility. Usually, working with your health care team to adjust medications associated with these conditions can prove productive. Chromosome defects; inherited disorders such as Klinefelter’s syndrome- in which a male is born with 2 X chromosomes and 1 Y chromosome (instead of 1 Y and 1 X)- causes abnormal development of the male reproductive organs. Other genetic disorders that can cause issues with fertility include cystic fibrosis, Kallmann’s syndrome (inability to smell), and Kartagener’s syndrome (recurrent bronchitis and sinusitis). Your physician can help you evaluate your options with these problems. Injury to scrotal area; may be reversible with time and healing; talk to a physician. Heavy alcohol use-alcohol can lower testosterone, sperm quality, quantity, and motility. Sometimes it causes reduced libido and impotence. With the cessation of alcohol use, healthy sperm will regenerate with time. Drug use; while all drugs-legal and illegal- can have effects on sperm, the most commonly used is marijuana. THC (the active ingredient in marijuana) decreases sperm production and weakens sex drive by interfering with the creation of testosterone. It can directly affect the movement of sperm and prevent them from reaching their mark. Smoking- stop or reduce smoke exposure for increased odds of victory. Age; conception has a higher likelihood in men under the age of 40. Men between 20 and 80 have declining semen, sperm vitality, and sperm motility. Obesity; leads to a drop in testosterone, and erectile dysfunction is at a higher rate. Studies confirm male sperm counts are declining, and environmental factors may negatively impact spermatogenesis. Even global warming has recently been named as a factor in the decline of sperm. Stress from heatwaves reduces sperm number and viability in the latest research, including radio-frequency electromagnetic radiation from technology. Keep your cell phones and laptops off your lap. Anytime scrotum is being heated up, there is a chance of lower sperm and quality. Women and why they aren’t getting pregnant Producing a healthy pregnancy and baby will help build healthy eggs for the next generation. Females are born with the complete volume of eggs they will ever have. Taking good care of yourself through pregnancy will afford your female offspring the very best start to her motherhood journey. More Fun Facts about the Female Egg Eggs are enormous in comparison to other cells in the body. Eggs are precious and worth more than sperm because there’s a limited supply. Egg cells take years to grow up, unlike other cells in the body. Eggs are fragile. When “freezing” eggs, it involves the outer shell-like encasing them in glass. The insides do not freeze. Eggs age fast. After age 20, the percentage of viable eggs declines rapidly. Eggs are monogamous. Only
